Six Algerian nationals in France are under investigation for allegedly inciting hatred and violence against critics of Algeria’s government. The arrests and investigations have deepened tensions between the two nations, whose diplomatic ties have soured since last year.
The French authorities arrested three Algerians earlier this year for their social media content. On Thursday, a Franco-Algerian TikToker was also detained. Additionally, two Franco-Algerian influencers, though not arrested, are now under investigation, according to Lyon officials.
The allegations focus on incitement to violence and hatred online, targeting opponents of Algeria’s leadership. These developments come amid an ongoing diplomatic crisis that began after France supported Morocco’s claim over Western Sahara, upsetting Algeria.
France and Algeria Exchange Accusations
One of the accused, 59-year-old cleaner Boualem Naman, known online as “Doualemn,” was arrested on 5 January in Montpellier. Naman, who has 138,000 TikTok followers, allegedly posted a video in Arabic calling for violence against an anti-government protester in Algeria.
French prosecutors asked interpreters to review the video. While they confirmed Naman called for the man to be “beaten,” they stated he did not use the phrase “kill him,” contradicting earlier reports.
Naman was deported to Algiers on Thursday, but Algerian authorities denied him entry. Algeria argued that Naman, who has lived in France for 36 years, should have the right to defend himself in French courts. He was sent back to France the same evening.
French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau accused Algeria of attempting to “humiliate France” over the incident. “We’ve reached an extremely troubling point with Algeria,” Retailleau stated on Friday.
Algeria’s Foreign Ministry retaliated, accusing France of “spreading disinformation.” Meanwhile, Naman’s lawyers, Jean-Baptiste Mousset and Marie David-Bellouard, said their client is being used as a scapegoat in a “strained political and diplomatic situation.”
Deteriorating Relations and Political Disputes
Tensions between France and Algeria have been building for months. In 2024, France shifted its stance on Western Sahara, endorsing Morocco’s sovereignty over the disputed region. This decision angered Algeria, which supports the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination and severed ties with Morocco in 2021 over alleged “hostile actions.”
Algeria reacted by recalling its ambassador to France and criticizing Macron’s efforts to strengthen ties with Morocco. Macron’s three-day visit to Morocco in October further strained relations.
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, who has faced criticism for suppressing free speech and jailing journalists, announced he would not visit France after postponing a planned state visit in 2023.
Last week, Macron escalated tensions by condemning Algeria for imprisoning Boualem Sansal, a 75-year-old Franco-Algerian writer and outspoken critic of the Algerian government. Macron accused Algeria of “disgracing itself” by targeting dissenting voices.
The arrests, combined with unresolved political disputes, have pushed Franco-Algerian relations into a deeper crisis, leaving little room for reconciliation.